Level Up Your Events with Video - A Conversation with Lion Fludd @ VCA Academy
Hey everyone, Elizabeth and Wendy here, co-founders of Untethered Voyages! We're all about helping coaches, consultants, communities, and companies plan and deliver amazing retreats at sea. And recently, we had the pleasure of chatting with Lion Fludd, the Chief Fun Officer and Founder of VCA Academy, about how event hosts can use video more effectively, before, during, and after their live events.
If you see us cheering at the beginning, it's because we just had a small victory, and that's the kind of energy Lion brings! He's all about showing people how to look, sound, and perform better on video. Because let's face it, video is essential these days.
Common Video Mistakes Event Hosts Make (And a Quick Fix!)
We jumped right into it, asking Lion about the biggest mistakes event hosts make when they start using video. He gave us some amazing insights.
We discuss the biggest mistakes that new video hosts make.
One of the biggest struggles, Lion pointed out, is that we often fail to create a real connection in the virtual space. There's already a barrier since we're not physically together. Think about it: when you're live and in person, you can feel the energy, see people's reactions, and even… well, sometimes you can even smell if someone's nervous!
But in a virtual space, it's tougher to create that same atmosphere. So how do we do it?
Eye Contact is Key
Lion's number one tip? Eye contact. And here's where it gets interesting.
When we're speaking to people in a virtual event (let's say there are 20 attendees), we tend to look at the monitor. That's where we see their faces. But Lion explained that when we do that, it can come across as if we're looking down at them. Our brains interpret it that way.
To create a genuine connection, we need to train ourselves to look directly at the webcam. That's where the magic happens!
Lion's "Look Here" Tip
Lion shared a super practical tip: Take a small Post-It note (he likes the arrow kind) and stick it right next to your webcam. Write "Look Here" on it. It's a simple reminder to focus your gaze.
He even had a client who put little googly eyes around her webcam! Love this idea!
Body Language and Tonality Matter
Lion also emphasized the importance of body language and tonality, even in virtual events. Your tonality and the pace of your voice give people time to understand what you're saying, and it also communicates your excitement.
Advanced Tip: The Teleprompter Advantage
We then got into a more advanced strategy: using a teleprompter. Lion uses one in his videos, and it's a game-changer.
Teleprompters are those screens you see in newsrooms that allow the host to read a script while looking directly at the camera. Lion pointed out that they're not as expensive as you might think and can be found online.
The Teleprompter's Benefits
It helps you maintain eye contact.
It allows you to read a script or notes naturally.
It helps you pick up on visual cues from your audience (if you set it up like Lion does).
Lion shared that he arranges his teleprompter so he can see all the Zoom faces in a small square. This way, he can see people's reactions and engage with them in real-time.
Zoom's Built-in Teleprompter
If you don't want to invest in a physical teleprompter, Zoom has a built-in teleprompter feature! This is a great option for reading a script or keeping your notes handy without looking away from the camera.
Hybrid Events: Blending Virtual and In-Person
Since we specialize in in-person events, we asked Lion about how video can enhance the overall experience, especially for hybrid events.
We discuss how video can enhance the time up to an in-person event.
Lion gave us a fantastic analogy: Your videos are like a trailer to invite people to your event.
Think about it: movie trailers give you snippets of the film to entice you to go to the theater or stream it. That's exactly what your videos should do.
Building Energy and Community
If you're running a six-month program that culminates in a live event, use video to build energy and excitement throughout the process.
Hold monthly virtual networking events.
Highlight different members each week.
Get people excited to connect in person.
The Power of Live Video
Lion emphasized the power of live video for building connection. People want to see that you're human, that you make mistakes, and that you're relatable.
Cultivating Trust and Credibility
We then discussed how video helps establish credibility and trust with potential attendees before they even register for your event.
We discuss how video can help cultivate trust between an event organizer and an attendee.
Lion shared that consistency is key. If you tell your community you're going live at a certain time, show up! People start to rely on you, just like they rely on their favorite TV show to come on at the same time each week.
Share Your Journey
Let people in on your journey. Share your ups and downs, your successes and failures. It makes you more relatable and builds trust.
Selling High-Ticket Items
We talked about how retreats are often high-ticket items, and people need to feel confident before investing. Lion stressed that it takes several touchpoints for people to feel comfortable enough to purchase, especially a high-ticket offer.
They need to see and hear you.
They need to feel a connection.
They need to believe that the purchase will be transformational.
Transitioning to Video: Tips for the Camera-Shy
Many coaches are comfortable leading live events but struggle with the transition to video. Lion gave us four powerful tips to help.
We discuss strategies for becoming more comfortable on video.
1. The 5-Minute Exercise
Grab your phone and record yourself talking about a subject you love for 5 minutes.
Listen to the recording with earphones in (don't watch yourself). This is what you sound like to others.
Watch the recording without sound. Observe your facial expressions and body language.
Get a transcript of the recording. Identify any word fillers you use.
2. The 25-Video Challenge
Record yourself for 2-3 minutes every day for 25 days.
Talk about anything!
Don't publish them. Just get comfortable with the process of recording.
Delete them until day 26 or 27 when you feel ready to share something.
3. Use Captions FOR SUPPORT
Use a captioning app on your phone while recording.
You can read what you've already written, but make it sound conversational.
This helps people who struggle with knowing what to say.
Talking Head vs. B-Roll Content
We wrapped up by discussing the balance between talking head content and B-roll. Lion emphasized that our brains are wired to respond to movement and variety, like in a movie trailer.
Finding the Right Balance
There's no magic ratio, but Lion suggests that for a 1-minute video, maybe a third of it should be you talking, with the rest being a mix of B-roll.
B-roll can be short clips (5-10 seconds).
It should relate to what you're talking about.
It doesn't have to be of you doing different activities.
The Power of Emotional Explosion
Lion also talked about the importance of including moments of "emotional explosion" in your videos, like in a movie. It keeps people engaged and enthralled.
Key Takeaways
Lion gave us so many fantastic tips, but here are some of the key takeaways:
Create connection through eye contact.
Use video to build excitement for your events.
Be consistent and share your journey to build trust.
Practice, practice, practice to get comfortable on camera.
Use a mix of talking head and B-roll content.
A huge thank you to Lion Fludd for sharing his expertise with us! If you're ready to take your video skills to the next level, Lion's VCA Academy is the perfect place to start. He offers in-depth training and resources to help you look, sound, and perform your best on camera. Head over to VCA Academy to learn more and unlock your video potential!
We hope you found this conversation helpful. If you're looking for support in planning your next retreat, schedule your complimentary Cruise Retreat Discovery Call or email us at hello@untetheredvoyages.com. Let's create something amazing together!
